New XCeed boasts lots of clever design features

With the hunt for additional sales at full tilt, car companies are reaching for new niche models to expand those sales. Crossover cars are the new trend and Kia are on board with their latest version in the Ceed range. It’s called the XCeed, and although it is visually different from the hatchback, it does cut a tasty image.

The XCeed is a couple of inches taller than the standard car and adds some external body parts to give it an off-road look that suggests more than it actually delivers. You get plastic wheel arch surrounds and runners under the doors, roof rails, a higher rear end, deeper grille and huge air intake openings to suggest 4×4 capabilities.

But you won’t be taking it off the asphalt. It is just for outward show, and while that does ease getting in and out, it also improves the overall look of the clever design.

Inside, all the same traits of the Ceed hatchback are there. This is no harm at all as the latest Kia interiors are driver friendly, offer comfort for four adults, and a boot area that is akin to many other hatches.

It comes with a floating touchscreen infotainment system in the middle of the dashboard that provides a set of touch-sensitive buttons, dials and switches to control audio volume, heating and ventilation. What I like most about these is that they help the driver to make quick changes to the cabin environment without taking your eyes off the road.

Once in the car, the immediate impression is that of a car that instantly fits the bill. It is easy to drive, offers good headroom and visibility is first-class too. One of the most positive things is the quality of the seats. Solid and supportive, they do the job well and are nicely presented with quality stitching and side-hugging bolstering.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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